Tethering Systems?

[bayouhawker]

What are everyone (who reads this) opinions on tethering systems? Traditional vs. Modern

Me personally, I think I want to use a variety of both. Round braid leash (no loop) with leather jesses, and other variations of items that we have at out disposal. I don't like the idea of using any mechanical type of clasps or fasteners ( large clips extra strong key rings and all that. Falconers have been basically using the same system for thousands of years but with new times come new ways of thinking. I think of most things this way if it isn't broke why fix it? But as a electrician and former military police, I like puzzles and figuring new things out. Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

Happy hawking!

[echotadog]

As a would be falconer, innovation isn't suggested until you have a holistic understanding of the traditional methods prescribed by your would be sponsor. This doesn't mean they won't encourage you to investigate newer materials or methods. Just that the only way to truly understand why one material might be better and or more suited to falconry, is to truly understand the old method vs the new.

I personally use braided jesses for tethering and don't fly with jesses at all for squirrel hawking. I use a Jim Caughlin bullet Jess leash once my Hawks are catching game. My preference for leashing a hawk after a hunt. This isn't me saying that you should use this method, just what I've grown to prefer for my style of hawking.

Essentially, you will hear the phrase " ask your sponsor " repeatedly in your journey to investigate falconry. They are the end all be all of your Ascension through the ranks, and for the first few years are the only opinion that should matter. As sponsors we are committing an awful amount of time to seeing our apprentice become a self practicing artisan in this sport. Stepping outside their demands or their suggestions shows little respect for the sacrifice we take from our family, work and our own falconry pursuits. This should be where the buck stops in all considerations in preparation for licenship, building facilities , traps , etc.

[bayouhawker]

This is just to get other falconers opinions on things. I plan on doj g what my sponsor says but, of the two I plan on asking, one is using the Coulsons method but the other uses completely traditional equipment. I guess this the ad is also to help me decide witch falconer to choose also. One lives ten minutes away but no bird uses traditional equipment and he uses red tails like I want to. The other, Matt Mullenix has a Harris uses the Coulsons method and he said he likes to use the non hands on method of sponsoring. I understand he doesn't have the time for a sponsor and most falconers dont.

[SkyRider]

I think that pretty much makes your decision for you. Go with the hands-on approach. Trust me on this. And don't base your decision off something as trivial as the tethering style. Both will work, provided you keep a close eye on both of them. Neither system is fool proof or maintenance free. Go with whatever your sponsor suggests and knows to work. Then as time goes on, try the other and see which you prefer. That's the great thing about falconry. You get to try things and learn.

[bayouhawker]

Thanks. It should be cheaper too, for both of us. Plus if I cross the bayou behind where I plan to build my mews.(3 houses down from where I live.) He's about one minute down the road from the main entrance to a 150 acre feild I have permission for. He has kids and a wife as the other sponsor and myself do but he wants to help me build and learn. He has been a general for two years with his dad's 20+ years as his sponsor.

[megapode]

My sponsor was a traditional leather guy, I use braided stuff now, but I know how to make a quick leather set of jesses in minutes, but have yet to braid something I would let another falconer see. You will evolve over time, so pick your sponsor based upon who you think you can get along with the best.

[Falcon Boy]

Braided for birds that I fly without jesses (99%) of them, leather for birds that fly with jesses.

[Ally]

I use a combination of both as well. I like leather for micro falcons who pick or chew at their jesses, as they tend to shred braided stuff, but I love braided jesses, especially for larger birds. Round braided leash for all of them, sampo swivels. I typically use a traditional falconry knot tie off with the leash.

I have only flown one bird jess-less -- I don't like not having anything to hold on to

[bayouhawker]

Lol I hope that I can have a partnership with a bird that I would be able to trust without flying jesses it's just one more thing to get caught up. But I understand how you would feel.

[SkyRider]

Jun 3, 2016 10:47:20 GMT -5 bayouhawker said:

Lol I hope that I can have a partnership with a bird that I would be able to trust without flying jesses it's just one more thing to get caught up. But I understand how you would feel.

It's not so much your partnership as it is having to deal with an instinctive animal.

For example, you could be walking to a hunting field with your bird unhooded and you may be in an area that's dangerous for the bird to fly in. The bird may see prey and launch after it, but keeping the jesses in your fist prevent it.

The bird may also be scared by another predator and try to escape. The jesses will also prevent this.

Finally, the bird may just be a little unsure of what's going on during the first few kills and try to fly away from you. This ends with a full bird that ignores your repeated attempts to call it back. Most birds are leery with the first few kills until a routine is established.

Flying without jesses is a risk. But it's typically a risk to the falconer keeping the bird. Some falconers like that control of the jesses. Others have found ways to work around it (safety lines on gloves, etc). It's really a matter of personal preference and what you're comfortable with.

[bayouhawker]

Jun 3, 2016 12:51:53 GMT -5 SkyRider said:

Jun 3, 2016 10:47:20 GMT -5 bayouhawker said:

Lol I hope that I can have a partnership with a bird that I would be able to trust without flying jesses it's just one more thing to get caught up. But I understand how you would feel.

It's not so much your partnership as it is having to deal with an instinctive animal.

For example, you could be walking to a hunting field with your bird unhooded and you may be in an area that's dangerous for the bird to fly in. The bird may see prey and launch after it, but keeping the jesses in your fist prevent it.

The bird may also be scared by another predator and try to escape. The jesses will also prevent this.

Finally, the bird may just be a little unsure of what's going on during the first few kills and try to fly away from you. This ends with a full bird that ignores your repeated attempts to call it back. Most birds are leery with the first few kills until a routine is established.

Flying without jesses is a risk. But it's typically a risk to the falconer keeping the bird. Some falconers like that control of the jesses. Others have found ways to work around it (safety lines on gloves, etc). It's really a matter of personal preference and what you're comfortable with.

I planned to fly it with flying jesses until he is well manned, hunting well, and he is coming to the glove well. Using good training techniques and spending hours of time during the week and most of the day in periods of training and resting periods around my family, dog, and other daily experiences during the weekend. To ensure our partnership. Today I brought my shepherd to the woods and let her run around (no training other than basic obedience) after about 10 mins she treed 2 squirrels. Brought her to the feild across the river she found a rabbit trail started to follow it she got to a bush and stopped (like a pointer) and stared at it like it was a juicy steak. I kicked the bush and a rabbit bolted. She stated to chase but I heeled her up. She has a good "wooh" "release"and "heel". I know with a little training she would be a really good hawking dog. She's medium coat eastern german. Good in briar and bushes. I believe with all this that if I do my training property then if the bird is flying free on jesses and not getting startled by thing from good manning, training, and protection from myself mostly I should be able to fly my birds without jesses to worry about getting hung up while it's following me and the dog looking for flushes. Plus most of my hunting spots I have talked to the landowners about hunting on or found that look good just need to talk to the owners, are away far away from major highways there is very little to no traffic around and no power lines around.

[Falcon Boy]

Jun 3, 2016 9:15:40 GMT -5 Ally said:

I use a combination of both as well. I like leather for micro falcons who pick or chew at their jesses, as they tend to shred braided stuff, but I love braided jesses, especially for larger birds. Round braided leash for all of them, sampo swivels. I typically use a traditional falconry knot tie off with the leash.

I have only flown one bird jess-less -- I don't like not having anything to hold on to

If you can get Aurelia to make a pair (she's been crazy busy lately), have her make you a pair of the 100lb spectra braided kbird jesses. They're insanely light weight and i haven't seen a bird even remotely impact them yet. Even ones who like to chomp Downside is you can't use them with grommets, but i don't use them with micro birds.